What Hope For Africa?

 

Having witnessed Cameroun tamely lose to Mexico with a score line that flattered the African Lions, what do we expect, as Africans, from this World Cup?

It's not the end of the world, mates ... let's look forward to our next match!

 

Does that Camerounian team look likely to come out of that Group for the second round? Can they overcome that Croatian team that were evidently hard done against hosts, Brazil? Anything can happen in football but that definitely won’t include seeing Cameroun in the knockout rounds! Cameroun had to qualify from the initial round via the back door…the evidence of the poor state of the central African country’s football is glaring. In Africa, they have been perpetually patched over the line by shear Issa Hayatou’s influence…but this is the World Cup and everyone is on his own!

Let's do it...

Algeria…do they have the ability to sniff the second round in a Group comprising Belgium, Russia and Korea Republic? Seems a tough call but I’ve watched Algeria of late…the North Africans are quietly getting their football back to the days that made them very devastating at global stage. They may surprise Russia and get to next round with Belgium.

 

Let's not disappoint this time!

Cote D’Ivoire…on paper, you’d always give a team that parades Yaya Toure, Gervinho, Drogba, Aurier etc a chance to cross to the next round even if they have to overcome Colombia, Greece and Japan to do so. Even at that, the West Africans are expected to top that group…but the orange-shirted Elephants are always wrong customers to put money on at any big stage…they may yet live up to billing!

 

There will be enough of dancing...!

Ghana…whoever Ghana offended to land themselves in such Group comprising favourites Germany, Ronaldo’s Portugal and USA must be very influential indeed. But let me stick out my neck here…I’m sorry for Portugal – Ghana will beat them to next round. Whatever team they parade, Ghana has never crumbled at global stage, whatever competition on the plate. Their compactness, very delicate touches on the ball and African ruggedness always follow them to any tournament. Besides, they have enough players that are not lacking in experience at this level. I tip Ghana as the surprise team of the tournament…and if they get another chance to make it into the semi-finals this term, bet anything that they’ll certainly take it.

 

We're not in Brazil for fun...!

Nigeria…I won’t say a thing regarding our dear Super Eagles without bringing in my brother, Okey Ikeobi’s seven-month campaign slogan that …NIGERIA WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP! Okey has done enough to push his optimism through. I might not be completely sold on his euphoria but something tells me the Super Eagles have a surprise trick or two up their sleeves. Arsene Wenger aptly summed it up by asserting team unity as Nigeria’s surprise package. Much as I agree with Le Prof, I’d go further to say Stephen Keshi’s factor will push Nigeria into the second round.

When Keshi was given the job of managing the Super Eagles, I screamed in every language that the NFF had misfired…but the Big Boss proved me and many Nigerians wrong with the way he masterfully cornered the AFCON diadem last term. Ever since, I’ve always supported a man who clearly showed clear understanding of his art. His secret was basing his team selection on doggedness and form in place of hitherto name.

You'll all eat your words once more...!

Much as a lot of stick has gone his way since announcing his 23-man squad, I still recall that similar calls heralded that last AFCON list. Somehow, fate decided the player I felt he did the most dis-service leaving behind – Ejike Uzoenyi! Much as I know there are football ‘businesses’ going on here and there whenever a Nigerian team’s list is being compiled, I still have to give it to Keshi as the gaffer. He takes the stick of any failure and knows the best players to get him the accolades he deserves for his next job.

Besides injured Elderson Echejile and dropped Sunday Mba, Keshi’s team is still the core of that solid bunch that conquered Africa. Echejile is really a blow but I’m very certain Osaze Odewingie will more than make up for Mba’s absence. As long as Emenike, Moses, Musa, Mikel, Onazi, Oboabona, Omeruo, Efe, Enyeama remain fit all through, Nigerians will have cause to smile as the competition progresses.

Get ready to celebrate...!

However, my biggest scare is where Bosnia and Herzegovina lies. They are debutants but are truly loaded to the hilt with players that play in far better clubs than most of ours. Keshi must approach them with real caution or his second round dreams flies off the window! Let’s cross the Group first, then talk of the prospects of meeting France in the second round.

In all, I expect a good outing for Africa...at least three teams will make second round...